Irene Opare
Veteran actress, Irene Opare, has pushed back against criticism over her recent appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, insisting that she was seeking support for her project and not begging for personal money.
The actress came under scrutiny after appealing to President Mahama during an interview as she prepared to celebrate her 60th birthday.
Irene, who said she has been associated with the PNDC/NDC political tradition since she was 19, called on the President to support her Clean Mama project.
“Mr President, I know you know me. This is your Clean Mama; all I want to say is, please turn your back and look at me. I’m standing right behind you. Just turn and look at me,” she said.
Her comments sparked reactions on social media, with some users interpreting them as a personal request for financial assistance.
One media personality called MC Yaa Yeboah allegedly also criticised the appeal, describing it as an attempt to seek help.
However, Irene has reportedly dismissed that interpretation, saying she is financially established and had no intention of begging the President or the NDC for money.
“I want you to know that I am well established. I am 60 years old, and maybe you don’t know anything about me or know my house, but I am well established. I am not begging,” she said.
According to the actress, the focus of her appeal was the Clean Mama project, for which she wanted government sponsorship.
She also criticised the use of snippets and captions from interviews on social media, arguing that such excerpts can distort the original message.
Irene urged journalists, commentators and social media users to watch full interviews before forming opinions based on short clips circulating online.